He switched to speed skating because he had an ambition to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. "I took a lot of satisfaction from [inline] skating, but I realised that I wanted something more from my sporting career. I had to take a different road to get there."

Name of coach

Maurizio Marchetto [national], ITA

When and where did you begin this sport?

He began inline skating at age five in Cantu, Italy. He took up speed skating in 2011 in Basselga di Pine, Italy.

General Interest

General Interest

Ambitions

To compete in the mass start at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (abvakwerkschaatsteam.nl, 20 May 2016)

Injuries

He broke his arm in 2001. (skatelog.com, 2004)

He once cut his shin with his blade and had to stop training for three weeks. (Athlete, 09 Feb 2017)

Other sports

He has represented Italy in roller speed skating, winning four gold medals at the world championships between 2007 and 2012. (SportsDeskOnline, 29 Nov 2016)

Memorable sporting achievement

Becoming a four-time world champion in inline skating, and winning silver in the mass start at the 2015 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (Athlete, 09 Feb 2017)